Orb Heads NTRA Pre-Derby Poll

Orb, impressive winner of the Besilu Florida Derby (gr. I) and the "buzz horse" around the backstretch of Churchill Downs heading toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), sits atop the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll.

The poll, which was released April 29, is conducted by the NTRA and surveys 45 media members and industry insiders. Votes are tabulated on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.

Orb, a homebred for Stuart Janney III and the Phipps Stable, has caught the attention of the gathering on the backstretch at Churchill Derby week. The son of Malibu Moon worked a half-mile in :47 4/5 the morning of April 29 for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.

Also a winner of the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), Orb received 19 of the first-place votes, out-polling the unbeaten Verrazano, who gathered 15 first-place votes and is second in the standings. Orb and Verrazano will likely vie for favoritism in the Derby after post postions are drawn May 1.

Game On Dude collected 19 first-place votes to remain atop the National Thoroughbred Poll. The 6-year-old gelding is fresh off a win in the Charles Town Classic (gr. II).

Second is Wise Dan, last year's Horse of the Year. He'll make his next start on Derby day in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), in which he'll face No. 4 Point of Entry. Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) winner Animal Kingdom holds down the third spot.